Simon’s Guide to Gambling and Casinos in Fiji

Certain forms of gambling are legal in Fiji, though in recent years gambling laws and issued gambling licences have caused quite a bit of controversy on the islands.

Fiji is an archipalego consisting of 110 inhabited as well as several hundred uninhabited islands and islets. The Republic of Fiji is situated in the Southern Pacific Sea, east of the shores of Australia. Fiji had been a British colony between 1874 and 1970, after which it became a Commonwealth realm. The Republic of Fiji was declared in 1987.

All forms of gambling in Fiji is regulated by the 2009 Gambling Act, stating that all forms of gambling are illegal unless specifically exempt from the prohibition. Slot machines, casinos and the Crown and Anchor game are specifically mentioned as prohibited.

Games of chance are legal in Fiji if they are not conducted in public – that is, a friendly or “home” game – and the total value of the prizes does not exceed $100. Another form of legal gambling are lotteries, supposing they have obtained a gambling licence. In theory, casino gambling licences may be granted as well, generally to charitable organisations.

In 2012, an exclusive casino gambling licence was granted to One Hundred Sands Limited for 15 years. The casino was planned to be built on Denarau Island. However, the construction of the resort was plagued with location changes and delays, resulting in the withdrawal of investors as well as lawsuits. Currently the project is halted, with no word on whether the casino will come to exist or not.*

Remote interactive gambling is allowed in Fiji, with the gambling law permitting the platforms of radio, television and telephone to be used. However, it is explicitly banned to use the internet or any such platform in conjunction with gambling. Gambling operators and players alike may be punished: “Any person who engages in unlicensed remote interactive gaming as a player shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for 2 years.”**

Casino gambling in Fiji

Online casino gambling in Fiji: illegal, playes may be prosecuted

Casino gambling is, in general, illegal in Fiji. The only company to have received a licence to provide casino gambling services within the country was One Hundred Sands. However, the company has so far failed to create the intended casino resort. As a result, there are currently no legal casino gambling opportunities open to the public.

Online casino gambling is illegal in Fiji. The internet may not be used as a platform to conduct any form of gambling. Not only online casino operators, but players may be prosecuted and punished as well, to the extent of $5000 and 2 years in jail. There is no word on how strictly this is enforced, but Fijians would likely do best not to risk it.

Bingo in Fiji

Online bingo in Fiji: illegal, players may be prosecuted

Bingo itself is not illegal in Fiji. There don’t seem to be any laws applying specifically to bingo games, either allowing them or prohibiting them. However, there are at least a few brick and mortar bingo halls in Fiji, where games are held regularly.

Online gambling of all kinds is illegal in Fiji. Along with online gambling operators players may be prosecuted and punished as well, to the extent of $5000 and 2 years in jail. There is no word on how strictly this is enforced, but Fijians would likely do best not to risk it.

Poker in Fiji

Online poker in Fiji: illegal, players may be prosecuted

Poker is often considered a game of skill, not a game of chance. However, according to Fijian gambling laws, gambling includes games where chance and skill is combined, which most liely includes poker. As a result, there are no legal opportunities where regular poker games are available.

Online gambling of all kinds is illegal in Fiji, which means online poker is as well.. Along with online gambling operators players may be prosecuted and punished as well, to the extent of $5000 and 2 years in jail.

Sports betting in Fiji

Online sports betting in Fiji: illegal, players may be prosecuted

Sports betting is not specifically egulated by the gambling laws of Fiji. It could be argued that the outcome of sports events depends on the skill of the participants, but some degree of luck is still involved. There are no brick and mortar betting shops or operators located in Fiji.

Online gambling of all kinds is illegal in Fiji, which includes online sports betting. Along with online gambling operators players may be prosecuted and punished as well, to the extent of $5000 and 2 years in jail.

Lottery in Fiji

Online lottery in Fiji: illegal, players may be prosecuted

Lottery is one of the few forms of gambling legally available in Fiji. Class 1 or 2 gambling licences may be granted to companies wishing to operate lotteries – the former for charitable companies, the latter for for-profits.

Even though lottery is legal in Fiji, online gambling of any kind is still banned. There are some opportunities for remote interactive gambling, such as Vodafone’s Pick 6 mobile lottery. Online lotteries, on the other hand, are illegal, and both operators and players may be punished.

Bitcoin gambling in Fiji

Bitcoin gambling in Fiji: illegal, players may be prosecuted

There are no specific laws in Fiji regarding the use of Bitcoin. Use of the cryptocurrency is not widespread on the archipalego. Also, online gambling of all kinds is illegal in Fiji, which includes Bitcoin casinos. Along with online gambling operators players may be prosecuted and punished as well, to the extent of $5000 and 2 years in jail.

Online gambling websites accepting players from Fiji

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This page is part of Simon’s List – Legal Status of Online Gambling – a definitive guide to the legal status of all forms of online gambling activities in every country around the world.